Mepolizumab (Subcutaneous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Nucala

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antiasthma

Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody

Uses for mepolizumab

Mepolizumab injection is used with other medicines to treat severe asthma. It is given to patients whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. It is also used to treat eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES).

Mepolizumab injection is also used as an additional maintenance treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in patients whose disease is not controlled with nasal corticosteroids.

Mepolizumab is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using mepolizumab

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For mepolizumab, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to mepolizumab or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of mepolizumab injection to treat severe asthma in children younger than 6 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of mepolizumab injection to treat EGPA or CRSwNP in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of mepolizumab injection to treat HES in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of mepolizumab injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving mepolizumab injection.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since inte...